Improvement in lasting-machines for boots and shoes



WITN 55555y 2 Sh eets-Sheet 1A G. W. UOPELND, E. WODWRD 8v M\BROGK. Lasting-Maohinefor Boots and Shoes'.k

No. 197,607. Patented Nov. 27, 1877.

MPEIERS. PHOY0-LTHDGRAPNER WASNXNGTON, D C.

2 shets-'sheet 2. G. W. OOPELAND, E. WOOD'WAR'D 8c M BROCK. Lasting-Machine for Boots and Shoes.

I N0. 197,607. Patented Nov. 27,1877.

f lnh/ r\l n' Wl/SEM a lT Slnfrrnn STATES PATENT OFFICE.

GEORGE W. COPELAND, OF MALDEN, AND ERASTUS `WOODVVARD AND MATTHIAS BROCK, OF BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS, ASSIGNORSTO THE COPELAND LASTIN MACHINE COMPANY.

IMPROVEMENT IN LASTINGMVACHINES FoRBooTs AND sHoEs.

Specication forming part of Letters Patent No. 197,6077, dated November 27, 1877 application filed November 8, 1877.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that we, GEORGE W. Corn- LAND, of Malden, in the county of Middlesex, EnAs'rUs WOODWARD, of Boston, in the county of Suolk, and MATTHIAS BROCK, of said Boston, all in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Machines for Lasting Boots and Shoes; said improvements being modifications and developments of the devices embodied in the Patent numbered 191,937, granted us June 12,1877, and as the mechanism for lifting and closing the cross-heads carrying ated, close upon the bottom of the last, sub` stantially parallel with the plane thereof, as hereinafter explained; second, in an improved reciprocating heel-clamp or down-hold, whose upper outer edge may be provided with a recess on each side to act as a support and guide in preventing` the heel-folding plates from being tipped or sprung as they close upon the last in the act of turning over the upper counter and lining upon the insole; third,`in an elastic heel-pad automatically operated by the closing of the cross-heads to clamp the upper to the heel of the last while the girth is operating and before the heel-folding plates are actuated; fourth, inan abutment at the toe, and an automatically-adjustingfriction toe stretching and smoothing pad, and mechanism for al-v ternately actuating them; fifth, in a spring attached to the under surface of the toe-lasting plates to bear upon the en ds ofthe toe stretching and smoothing pad to clamp the same againstlthe last, operated simultaneously therewith,

compressing, smoothing, and shaping that portion of' the upper to the surface of the last which lies between the portion iitted by the-v row section, somewhat liable to become puifed away from the lastas the lasting proceeds, if not held against the sides of the last by a suitable l retaining or clamping device; sixth, in the improved girth-supporting iingers provided with longitudinal adjustability; seventh, in the improved girth-supporting iingers, having automatic vertical adjustability; eighth, in means for protecting the elastic portion of the girth from the destroying action of oil, which is more or less absorbed from the upper in lasting by the material contacting with it; ninth, in the improved process employed, which hereinafter will be fully explained; tenth, in the hereinai ter-described means of providing the toesupport with universal adjustability laterally, longitudinally, and vertically, and rmeans for lowering' the same after the lasting is completed by thefall of the cross-heads.

In the drawings, Figure 1 represents a plan of' our improvedmachine; Fig. 2, avertical central section of the same. Fig. 3 shows an enlarged plan of the heel-lasting mechanism. Fig. 4 is an enlarged Y vertical section, showing the toe-support, abutment,and stretching and smoothing pad, and the method of their operation. Fig. 5 is an enlarged horizontal section, further illustrating the method of operating the `toe-support, abutment, and toe stretching and smoothing pad. Fig. 6 shows the springclamp attached vto a toe-plate.` Fig. 7 is an en.- larged cross-section, showing the means by which an automatic vertical adjustment of the girth-supporting ngers is obtained. Fig, 8 shows, in cross-section; a somewhatdifferent mode of vertically oscillating the end of the girth-supporting fingers. Fig. 9 is a crosssection of the improved girth; and Figs;l0,

11, 12, and 13 illustrate the varying stages Y and. modiiications of our process.

The carriages 'A B', respectively carrying the toe and heel mechanism, are provided with the same movement upon the. tables C, in rela tion to each other and in relation to the spin? dle D, that is given the like parts in the machine previously patented to us, and for the purpose fully set forth in thespeciiication of said patent; but the operative mechanism is slightly different, and consists of a shaft, E,

having a handle, c, `and bearings in the arms B, that project laterally from the tables B and the right and left screws c* a2, each of which operates through an arm, a3, in moving the carriages. The thread of the formeror right screw is enough quicker than that of the left screw -to preserve the proper ratio of movement between the two carriages. If necessary,

a like device can be arranged on the opposite side of the machine, and, by suitable gearing, be connected with the one described, and this construction `may be necessary to prevent springing the shaft in machines for doing heavy work.

The carriage B is further provided with the brackets B1, which support the oscillating plate B2, upon which is arranged the heel-lasting mechanism, and Which is provided, in addition to the cam and other mechanism for operating lthe heel-lasting plates B3, as described` in our said patent, with the face-cam B4 arranged `immediately over the cam operating the heel-lasting plates and the edgecam B5;

The cam B4 serves to lift the heel-centerin g foot F from the surface of the insole through the means of f the reciprocating slide b, which is provided with the cam-pin bl, suitably bearing in the box `bz on top the cam, and the con- :necting-rod b3, which is pivoted at one end to the bar and at the other to the heel-centering foot F.` This foot F is provided with a curved arm, b4, which opens at the bottom to surround or partly surround `the arm c, and is pivoted at b? to the projection bfi. i

`The edge-cam B5, in` conjunction with the spring c1, reciprocates the heel-clamp or downhold G by means of the rod c". This rod plays in a bearing provided by the cylinder c2, which also acts as the pivot on 1which `the oscillating plate Bz swings, and by which it is fastened to the bracket B1, and is pivoted to the rod c", as shown. The down-hold G, in addition Yto the arm c, isprovided with the arm c", which, with the projection c4 and the projection b, serve as a housing to guide the down-hold in `its reciprocation.

`A spring, c6, `bears upon the under surface of the down-hold, and serves to support the same on a plane slightly above the plane of the under surface of the heel-lasting fingers.

The projecting end `of the down-hold is pointed, as shown, and is provided L on its outer upper edge with the slopingrecess c5, somewhat beveled, and upon which the edge of the heel-lasting' plates next adjoining the down-hold restas they converge.

It will be seen that when the last is adjusted on the spindle the down-hold is withdrawn, and the heel-lasting plates are wide open, but that Vthe centeringfoot is bearingupon the insole at the 4heeL'and has so adjusted the oscillating plate B2 that when the heel-lasting' plates advanceA they move in a path l directly parallel with the surface of the insole; that then the down-hold advances and securely clamps thelast at the heel; that this move- Vment is' fimmediately followed by the closing hold; and that the down-hold is forced downward against the action of the spring C? by the converging action of the heel lasting plates. j i

The spring-rod d, whose oice in compressing the elastic or flexible heel-pad H is fully explained in the patent before referred to', yis actuated by the wings dl projecting from the cross-heads. j e

.The toe-blockI is supported on the rod e, and, by means of the universal joint e,p`ro vided with a lateral and longitudinal adjustability. The lower end of the rod screws into the movable block e2, which is provided with the recess e3 on Vits under surface, and is guided by suitable boxing e4 in the carriage A. The under surface of the'recess e3 rests upon the cam c5 having-the arm e6, the end of which is -laid -hold of by the spring c7." A rod, c, projects from one of the cross-heads and contacts. with the upper surface of the arm es. y i

It will be observed that, by the joint operation of the cross-headsand the mechanism described, the toe-block is slightly raised and v lowered simultaneously with the rising andV falling of the cross-head. i

' The toe-clamp or down-hold K is `operated by a cam substantially lin. the manner described inthe patent referred to. The abutment k and the toe stretching and smoothing pad L are alternately actuated, immediately before the toe-lasting plates converge, by the treadle f, so that theabutment against which the toe of the last contacts while the. girth is performing `its function is Withdrawn to permit the operation of the toe stretching and smoothing pad. j y

The abutment and the Vtoe stretching and smoothing pad are, respectively, supported on the vertically-sliding bars g g1 which move in the slides g2 g3 in the carriage carrying the toelasting mechanism, and are actuated by the cranks g4 g5, the former of which is operated by the sleeve gG, which surrounds and fur-` nishes a bearing for` the shaft g'f, which lays i hold of the crank g5." The sleeve and the shaft are partially revolved in` opposite directions by the cranks g8 g, one of which, the crank g8, is operated bythe lever glo from a point toward its fulcrum, and the other, g, by the same lever g1 at a point near'its powerend. This lever s j is connected with the treadle by the rod g, and the treadle acts in opposition to a spring. y The girth-supporting fingers m, which close over the ball of the last, are pivotedat m toa support, m', andare each provided with' the downwardly-projecting arm m2, and the spring` m3 is arranged to act against the end of said arm in depressing theendof the linger supporting the girth. This construction provides an automatic vertical adjustment to the ends of the girth-supporting-n gers, by which they fore the action of the toe-lasting plates. The

girth-supporting fingers at or near the shank may simply be pivoted, as shown in Fig. 8.

We further provide the fingers with a'longitudinal adjustment at their girth-bearing ends, so that the same number of ngers,when separated, may answer with the same girth in lasting at least three sizes without change. This longitudinal adjustment may be eifected by means of the spring n. arranged to bear 'against the end of theA finger n pivoted at u',

as shown in Fig. 1, to force it away from the end of the next nger, thereby lengthening the lineon which the girth acts. 1

This construction may answer under certain conditions; but, in practice, we prefer that not only the ends but the entire nger be longitudinally adjustable on the cross-heads, and we are now constructing a machinein which ythe lingers, to a certainextent, shut into each other against spring-pressure by the closing ofthe toe and heel carriages upon the last, and which open automatically upon said carriage, separating after the lasting is completed.

The arm o, projecting downward from the finger n, acts as an abutment in preventing the girth-supportin g fingers, when thus spread, from interfering with the action of the heellasting mechanism, by contactingI with the edge of theoscillating plate BF.

' Thesupper surface of the girth is protected by the leather or other aprons P, one on each side of the girth, and fastened-to the top thereof only, and another laid loosely under'the iiaps of the side aprons. This girth acts somewhat differently from the unprotected elastic girth, as all the strain on the upper must come fromthe center of the girth by the rise of the leather apron.

The operation of the machine is as follows: The last, with the upper properly adjusted thereon, is hung on the spindle, with the heelcentering foot F restingupon the top of the insole, to adjust the heel-lasting mechanism, as hereinbefore set forth, and the carriage A, witlnthe toe -lasting mechanism, is moved toward the spindle until the toe rests upon the toe-block, and contacts with the abutment k. The toe down-hold is then shut upon the insole of the toe. The last is now properly adjusted in the machine. The next step in the operation is to draw and stretch that part of the upper operated upon by the girth, or more particularly that portion of the upper lying' between the instep and the toe, preferably simultaneously on each side, tightly' to the last, by the aid of lasting-pinchcrs. This manipulation removes all wrinkles or tendency to wrinkle from the upper before the girth acts, and partially shapes it on the last. The girth is then lifted against the upper, and firmly clamps it to the last, at or near the median line from instep to toe, from whichv line a portion of the upper is drawn by the pinchers, (which are preferably so held by the operator as to be supported on the ends of the girth-bearing ngers, as shown in Figs. `12 and 13, so that as they rise they lift the pino ers, and, consequently, the edge of the upper,) operating on each side of the last parallel or substantially parallel with the sides of the.

last under a moderate strain, while the girth continues to advance from the said median line with, perhaps, a stretching force somewhat greater than that exerted by the pinchers on the upper, and a smoothing and clamping action-that is, that portion/of the girth that is being brought against the sides of the last with an upward movement in relation to the same acts as a stretching, straining, and smoothing power, while the lower portions act additionally as a clamping force in holding and compressing the upper, already tted, by the previous stretching, straining, and smoothing action, on thelast, and as the edges of the upper are somewhat stretched by the action f the lifting-pinchcrs from the advancing line of the girth', it follows that, as the stretch is taken out of the upper by the pinchers, the upper is prevented fromv drawing back by the clamping action of the girth.

When the girth has advanced along the sides o f the last sufficiently far to clamp that portion of the upper that is better 'fitted tothe last by the described combined action of girth and pinchcrs than by the. girth alone,'the strain 4from the edge of the upper developedby the lifting-pinchcrs is discontinued, and the girth continues its action, unaided, of lifting the upper on the last and laying the folds on the surface of the insole by the closing of the fingers. The cross heads, in closing, Vcompress and clamp the .elastic heel-pad in position. The heel-lasting mechanism is then operated, and 4the down-hold is advanced by the action of the cam on the insole, to be immediately followed.- by the lifting of the centering-foot, the converging of `the heel-lasting plates, and the descent of the heel down-hold.

The toe is then lasted by withdrawing the abutment and lifting the toe stretching and smoothing pad into a'position flush with the bottom of the insole, the toe down-hold carried back, and the upper folded upon the insole by the advance of the toe-lasting plates.

In working out our process we do not conne ourselves to the particular girth described, but may use any of the girths or contrivances mentioned in the various Copeland patents for lifting, stretching, straining, smoothing, and clamping an upper on a lastfrom the me# dian line of the last, from instep to toe, or sur-` faces immediately adjacent thereto.

As the various mechanical devices shown and described herein are principally modifications of like principles already patented to us ,l 4or to said Copeland, or are clearly evident from the description of their construction,

advantages need not be enu a' reciprocating down-hold, Gr, with a heel-last` ing mechanism, substantially as described.

-3. In a lasting-machine, an automatic adjusting heel down-hold, as described.

\ 4. In a lasting-machine, the combination of a heel downhold With devices for folding the upper upon thevinsole at the heel when'the same acts as a guide and support in directing and assisting the action of the folding mechanism, as set forth. Y Y

5. In a lasting-machine, the combination of a centering-foot and a heeldoWn-hold alternately actuated, substantially as described, for the purpose set forth.` l

6. In a lasting-machine, the combination of a centeringdeviee and down-hold successively actuated with mechanism for, folding the npper upon the insole at the heel, substantially as and for the purpose set forth. A l

7. In a lasting-machine, a centering-foot adapted to automatically adjust the folding plates on a plane with the bottom of the last,

substantially as `shown andset forth.

8. In a lastinganaehine, the combination of the adjustable carriage B provided With means for supporting an A oscillating plate, substantially as described. y

9. In a lasting-machine, the combination of the centering-foot F, pivoted at d, with the -f rod d3 and cam B4, substantially as described.

10. In a lasting-machine, the combination` of the heel down-hold G,

c connecting-rod c", and actuatingcam B5.

11. In a lasting-machine', the combination of the heel down-hold, recessed on the upper outer edge, as shown, with the spring c, sub'- stantially vas and for the purpose described.

12. A down-hold provided With a horizontal movement parallel or substantially parallel with the plane of the insole, followed by a descending movement upon the same, in combination with folding-plates, for the purpose set forth. l

13. The,combination of the cross-heads, prooscillating plate, and said .linger, having' automatic c i ment, with means for regulating the extent of,

vided with wings d1, with the spring-lingers d, all adapted .to operate, substantially as shown and described. c V I 14. In a mao je for'lastingboots and shoes, al toe-rest provided with automatic lateral, longitudinal, andvertical adjustment, in corn- `tially as described. Y

15. In a lasting-'machina a `toe-rest provided with and supported on a universal joint, `in combination with mechanism for automatic vertical adjustment', for the purpose set forth.

16. A toe-restjsupported .on a universal joint, and adapted to be raised by the lift of the crcss-heads, for Athe purpose set forth.

17. The combination of an abutment and a bination" with toe-lasting Inechanism,` substantoe stretching and smoothing pad alternately `actuated, substantially as described, for the purpose set forth. i A c l 18. The toelastmg and folding plate, projvided withV4 spring-dampen, adaptedI to close u'pon the ends of the toe stretching and smooth-V ing pad simultaneously with the closingfof the folding-plates, asvdescrib'ed.' t c 19. The combination of the abutment and toe stretching and smoothing actuating mechanism described.`

20. A girthisupporting ngerprovidedwith automatic vertical adjustment at its endyas described.. c l c i c c 21. A girthssupportin g linger' provided with automatic vertical adjustment at its end, for' the purpose of relieving it from strain, as and for thepurpose described.-

22'. The combination of a girth-supporting finger, provided with means for vertically oscillating its end,with a spring' the finger, asdes'cribed. c c

23. The combinationof a girth or'I straps for stretching, snapping," and` clamping an upper to aclast with" girth `f supporting nngers,provided with lon itudinal adjl'is'tability, whereby the length of the Agirth may be increased or dirninisledv to' the length of `the last'. A d 'Y tomatic longitudinal adjustment ijs effected'. y

25. The combination of a girth-supporting longitudinal adjust` said adjustment by the closing ofthe toe and heel-carriage or either, as set forth.

2e. In a machine for eating the uppersof i boots and shoes, `the combination of an anto-l matc toe-lastingrnechanism andthe imliroved oscillating heel-lasting mechanism described.-v 27. `In a machine for lasting the uplliersof boots and shoes, the combination of an auto` matie toe-lasting mechanism, the side 'girthlasting mechanism provided with an antomatic' longitudinal adjustment, and heet-lasting devices, as described.

i 28. In a lasting-machine, an ,oscillating pad with the of sufficientV power to relieve a severe strain on the ends of 24- The. Combination of are gnthsapport; ing finger N with the spring n, wnerebyanauheel-lasting mechanism adapted to be autoright and left screws al a2 and hand-Wheel a, matically adjusted by the slope of the insole, Witlnthe arm a3, projecting from the carriages for the purpose set forth. A B, substantiallyr as described.

29. The girth described, consisting of an GEO. W. GOPELAN D. elastic central section protected upon its up- ERASTUS WOODWARD. per surface, in manner substantially as de- MATTHIAS BROCK. scribed, for the purpose set `forth. Witnesses:

30. In a boot and shoe lasting machine, the FRANK Gr. PARKER, combination of the shaft E, provided with the F. F. RAYMOND, 2d. 

